Page 25 of Totally Off Limits

Ah…thatwas why her mother wanted her commitmentbeforetelling Sierra what was up. Well, it wasn’t like she could have put it off forever. She was going to have to put on a good face and make nice with Austin to make her parents happy. If she sabotaged their efforts immediately, she’d have hell to pay—but if they could see what she already knew, they’d be satisfied she’d at least tried.

But she and Austin had already made an attempt at dating—in high school. Despite the way Sierra tried—really tried—to be a good daughter, she bristled at much of what was expected of her. Austin, though, was a parent’s wet dream. The main difference between him and Sierra was that his parents appreciated and loved everything he did. He could do no wrong. Sierra, try as she might, never quite made the mark, no matter what she did.

If her mother had known that Austin had been Sierra’s first—notlovebut sexual partner—she would probably already be planning the wedding. But when Austin, two years older, had graduated high school and left to attend Harvard, they’d parted ways. There hadn’t been any animosity or bitter feelings. Both simply understood that whatever they had wouldn’t last.

Of course, he probably hadn’t expected her to become a single mother, but she was no longer his problem. Now her mother hoped to change that.

“I said I’ll be here, mom. But I really have to go.”

“All right,” her mother said, standing in the gargantuan doorway as Sierra carried Mia to the car. “Austin is looking forward to seeing you—and I didn’t want to disappoint him.”

“See you tomorrow,” Sierra said, not even acknowledging her mother’s words as she buckled her daughter into her car seat. Maybe her mother didn’t want to disappoint Austin, but Sierra herself would…and she didn’t care. Not one bit.

Because the man she’d secretly pined for was in her life tonight. And there was no way in hell she was about to disappoint him.

* * *

“Check this out, man,”Mickey said to Sage as the trio approached the lane where his friend was already settling in. “Have you ever seen bowling shoes this tiny?”

Sierra had been laughing after they’d left the counter, because Mickey hadn’t stopped marveling at the shoes they’d rented for Mia.

A big grin on his face, Sage said, “What’s sad is she’ll still manage to kick your ass at this game.” Sierra instantly recognized him, even though his dishwater blond hair had grown longer and he seemed a little bulkier, like he’d spent the last couple of years weightlifting—but he still had the easy smile that lit up his entire face.

After glancing at Mia to make sure she was preoccupied while Sierra helped her sit on the bench, Mickey flipped his friend off.

Sage smiled but otherwise ignored it. “Hey, Sierra. How’ve you been?”

“Hey, Sage. So you and Mickey are famous rock stars now, huh?” She turned, flashing a grin, before once more focusing on putting the shoes on her daughter.

“I don’t know that I’d go that far. Let’s just say we play in a famous band with an even more-famous guitarist.”

“That’s fair,” Mickey said, sitting down next to Mia. “Do you want my help with those?”

“Nope. I got it. Thanks.”

Sage said, “So you’re a mama now. How does that feel?”

“This little girl is the light of my life. I’d never really thought much about being a parent and honestly if I’d pondered it, I probably never would have had kids. So I’m grateful that Mia came along and proved to me that she was the best thing to ever happen to me.” Poking her child on the nose with her index finger, she said, “Let’s see how those feel, baby girl.” She helped Mia slide off the bench. As Mia walked around, a grimace appeared on her face. “Do they feel okay?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

Sierra knew they didn’t, but Mia was excited, nonetheless. Mickey had been telling her how fun the game was ever since they’d met in the parking lot. When he’d offered to pick them up, Sierra had asked where he planned to put the car seat, considering he didn’t have a backseat in that Corvette…not exactly kid-friendly. But he’d been waiting for them in the parking lot, telling them Sage already had their lane scoped out, so all they had to do was rent shoes.

And Mia’s had been the topic of conversation since.

“I’m ready to play.”

“Just a minute, honey. Mommy and Mickey still need to get our shoes on.”

“Speak for yourself,” Mickey said. “I’m good to go.” He stood up, rocking back and forth on the bowling shoes while pointing at them. “Mind if I help her out?”

“Be my guest.”

Mickey held out his hand. “Want to find a ball with me?” In response, Mia nodded and took his hand. Sierra was almost in shock, simply because Mia was hesitant around strangers…but Mickey had spent the entire evening with them the other night, so maybe he no longer seemed like a stranger to her.

Sierra was okay with that. After all, the man was her father, even though neither child nor father actually knew it.

“So, Sierra, Mickey said you’re a nurse?”

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